The government will today publish its plans to tackle the growing problems of flooding and coastal erosion due to global warming.

The environment minister, Elliot Morley, is unveiling a consultation paper to formulate a new 20-year strategy for England to replace that of 11 years ago - devised before the devastating floods of 2000.

It comes in the light of fresh predictions that over the next 100 years, flooding will be more frequent and severe due in part to climate change.

The paper, Making Space For Water, outlines ideas for dealing with all types of flooding - coastal, river, groundwater, sewers and urban and road drainage problems.

It takes into account the fact that in the floods of 2000, about 40% of houses were not flooded by the river or sea but by drains or ground water.

The paper not only looks at engineering solutions and flood warning systems but also at what flood-prone land is used for, where houses are built, and safeguarding road and rail links through better design.

Solutions range from bolstering sea and river walls to creating saltmarsh buffer zones in coastal areas and wetlands near rivers to act as flood storage areas should they burst their banks.

One novel answer to extreme flooding could be to use some minor roads as flood channels, using raised kerbstones to keep the water in.

The paper also calculates how much householders can save after future floods by repairing their homes with flood-resistant materials and taking better precautions.

The Association of British Insurers estimates people with a three-bedroom semi-detached house would save between £12,000-£15,000 per flood on repairs.

Mr Morley said: "Climate change means we may well see more and worse flooding in the future.

"We must factor in and plan for this across the board, working closely with the insurance industry and other interested parties, so that the adverse consequences for people and for business are minimised."

Government funding of the flood defence programme in England and Wales currently stands at a record £478m and is set to rise to £564m a year for the period 2005-2008.

Following the consultation paper, the government hopes to publish a final strategy in early 2005.